Press Releases

 

                                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 28, 2009                 CONTACT: Sgt John Lynn (831) 758-7975

                                                                                                                                                                              

 

Salinas, Calif. — The holiday season is upon us. Plans are in place for parties, shopping and traveling to friends and family.  However, each year motorists will be in harm’s way thanks to the careless ones who will drink and drive this season. 

 

Beginning December 30, 2009 the Salinas Police Department will join law enforcement across the state as part of California’s 18-Day Holiday DUI Crackdown Campaign with law enforcement agencies deploying 300 DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints statewide.  Funding for the special enforcement campaign, December 16, 2009 through January 3, 2010 comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

During the evening hours of December 30, 2009, the Salinas Police Department will operate a DUI and Drivers License Checkpoint at an undisclosed location in the City of Salinas. The checkpoint is purposely conducted during the holiday celebration period in an attempt to reduce the amount of drinking and driving associated with celebrations during this time of year. The DUI and Drivers License Checkpoint is also aimed at educating the public about the dangers of drinking and driving and driving without a license. This will be the second checkpoint that the Salinas Police Department has conducted during the 18-Day Holiday DUI Crackdown Campaign

 

In 2008, 11,773 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.  In California 1,029 were killed on state and local roads driving with a .08 BAC or higher with another 28,457 injured in Alcohol Involved Collisions.

 

“Drunk driving is simply not worth the risk. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for impaired driving can be significant,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety.  “Violators often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, attorney fees, time away from work, and dozens of other expenses. So don’t take the chance. Remember, if you are over the limit, you are under arrest.”

 

Law enforcement encourages everyone planning a family gathering over the holidays to first think about how your friends and family will get home after drinking during holiday celebrations.  Everyone is encouraged to “Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911” and be ready to describe the vehicle, its location and direction of travel to make your community safer into the New Year.  With everyone’s help, families won’t remember the holidays of 2009 as a time of loss at the hands of another drunk driver.

 

Questions are to be referred to Sgt John Lynn at (831) 758-7975